Every new season of Survivor is marked by those players that fans write off early on. There are those whose first few moments on the reality competition show are characterized by frequent meltdowns as they struggle to cope under the intense pressure of the game, like Bhanu Gopal of Survivor 46 or Andy Rueda of Survivor 47, and those that play too hard right out of the gate, like Emily Flippen of Survivor 45 or Rome Cooney of Survivor 47. These players often cause a flurry on social media of viewers who simply can’t wait to see them be voted out. Survivor 48 is no different, with Saiounia “Sai” Hughley already drawing the ire of Survivor fans with her aggressive gameplay and the “lack of filter” that she has already acknowledged as getting her into trouble “a lot of the time.” But, while viewers are already speculating that Sai has sealed an early fate for herself in the game, some of those “unlikeable” players from seasons past have proven that it’s far too early to count Sai out on Survivor 48.
‘Survivor’ Transformations Yield Some of the Best ‘Survivor’ Players
With no shortage of castaways who get off on the wrong foot on Survivor, it’s easy for fans to write players off right from the start. While viewers are sometimes correct in the assumption that these players will end up being their own downfall in the game – like Bhanu, who was the third person voted out on Survivor 46, or Rome, who was blindsided just before the merge on Survivor 47 – other times, they go on to become some of the most memorable and compelling players to watch on Survivor – like Emily and Andy, whose Survivor transformations were not only captivating but carried them far into their seasons.
Emily started out as a social outcast on Survivor 45 due to her abrasive personality that rubbed both her tribemates and Survivor fans the wrong way. But, with the help of the more socially deft Kaleb Gebrewold, Emily managed to adjust her attitude and forge genuine relationships in the game that carried her through to the final seven, when she was sent to the jury by a single vote after Julie Alley played an idol. Andy struggled with a stark lack of confidence at the start of Survivor 47, experiencing a moment of panic at the first immunity challenge that convinced fans he wasn’t cut out for the game. He then went on to become one of the best players of the New Era, spearheading the historic strategic play, Operation: Italy, and experiencing a near full transformation throughout the season. Andy made it to the final six before being voted out for being one of the biggest threats left in the game. If there’s anything players like Emily and Andy have taught Survivor fans, it’s that some of the most unlikable players at the start of a season can blossom into some of the best.
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Loyalty and chaos are already abound this season.
Sai Has the Potential To Go Far in ‘Survivor 48’
So far this season, Sai has stood out for her unwillingness to sugar-coat her aggressive approach to the game and has similarly garnered criticism from viewers, many of whom believe she is already headed toward her demise on Survivor 48. But, based on some of the Survivor transformations fans have seen in the past, it’s far too early to count Sai out of the game entirely. She may yet merge her aggressive gameplay – which has already earned her a Hidden Immunity Idol and given her control over the first two Tribal Councils this season – with some stealth and social skill as she gets further in the game.
Just as Survivor fans saw Emily and Andy grow into their own throughout their seasons, we may see the same from Sai – who has already proven she has the drive to go far on a show like Survivor. If she manages to couple playing hard with playing smart as the season progresses, she could be a Survivor legend in the making. After all, Survivor transformations are part of why Survivor has continued to captivate viewers for nearly 25 years.
Survivor airs Wednesday on CBS and is available to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S.
Survivor
- Release Date
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May 31, 2000
- Network
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CBS
- Showrunner
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Jeff Probst
- Directors
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Jeff Probst
- Writers
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Jeff Probst
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